Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines – Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s clean energy transition at the 2025 Philippine Electric Power Industry Forum (PEPIF), organized by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP). With the theme “Accelerating Philippine Renewable Energy Transition through Innovation and Collaboration,” the event gathered government leaders, regulators, and private sector stakeholders to discuss strategies, regulatory frameworks, and industry practices aimed at advancing the Philippines’ shift toward a more sustainable and secure energy future.
MGEN, through its President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio, laid out their low-carbon strategy with advanced solar technologies using battery energy storage systems, its growing LNG portfolio and the potential for nuclear energy development in the country. “Our mission in MGEN is clear: we will lead the country’s energy transition. This year, liquefied natural gas (LNG) overtook coal as our main energy source, while renewables will be overtaking coal next year,” Rubio stated. He added that MGEN’s ongoing investments in renewable energy, and LNG are key to navigating the country’s evolving energy demands. “The path to a low-carbon future is challenging, but it is one we must take—for our planet, for our economy, and for future generations,” Rubio said. “Through these investments, we are addressing the energy trilemma—ensuring that the Philippines has a stable, affordable, and sustainable energy future.”
Throughout the forum, government officials laid out critical reforms and developments shaping the energy sector. Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara presented the upcoming policy developments such as the Marine Spatial Plan and carbon credits, as well as updates on renewable energy initiatives and energy transition strategies. She emphasized the importance of these efforts in ensuring a sustainable energy future, stating, “DOE is committed to pursue a future energy scenario that is safe, secure, and sustainable,” she said. “We are committed to ensure that our consumers find electricity to be affordable. We are also committed to adopt technological advancements and foster collaborations as a way to transform energy with renewables and unlock the full potential of the Philippine energy sector.” Usec. Guevara also highlighted changing consumer expectations, referencing findings from their latest customer survey. “Before, when we did the survey for household electrification, the responses of households were different. But now, the number one is access to electricity—that is expected. The second one is reliability. They now want reliable electricity,” she shared, emphasizing the growing demand for stable and consistent power as the energy sector undergoes transformation.
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta discussed that the cost of transition must be matched with institutional reforms for long-term sustainability. “We need to put in place what we call the enablers—these regulatory actions that prime the environment to operate as efficiently as it should,” she noted. “I am talking about the regulatory resets for our transmission and distribution utilities, the review of our technical codes, the grid and distribution codes, and our own market rules.” Chairperson Dimalanta also stressed the need to modernize pricing parameters and establish a clear regulatory framework for Advanced Metering Infrastructure, which is crucial for empowering consumers and enabling a more dynamic energy market.
The forum also featured a range of presentations on topics such as transmission planning and energy storage systems—showcasing how technological advancements and collaborative strategies are critical in shaping the Philippine energy landscape. From grid readiness to innovations in energy systems, the discussions reflected a unified vision of building a reliable and energy-secure future.
With its expanding pipeline of renewables and continued investments in low-carbon technologies, MGEN plays a vital role in helping the country achieve its energy goals. MGEN’s renewable energy portfolio now stands at almost 400 MWac of net sellable capacity, spanning seven provinces, including Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, Batangas, and Tarlac, along with its newly energized solar farms in Nueva Ecija, Rizal, and Isabela. With its current projects and an expanding pipeline, MGEN is expected surpass its goal of 1,500 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The company remains committed to being a dependable power generator that supports energy security, affordability, and sustainability for the long term.